Dear Graham Norton: 'My friend’s feral children are trashing my home'

Dear Graham

We have a very dear friend with three children aged between five and 11. We have known all her children since they were born and we are very fond of them. They are all friends with our own children, who are of similar ages; we are neighbours, and we socialise often. The issue is that every time her children come round, they destroy pieces of our furniture, peeling leather off the upholstery, smearing modelling clay on fabrics and other such things. It doesn’t seem to happen with other people’s kids.

I need to say something to their mother because we can’t continue having the children in the house if this is going to be the result each time. But I do not want to destroy what is a very good friendship.

You would have thought that being close, I could say anything to her, but people are very sensitive about their own children. Our friend has absolutely no money and would not be...